My body dangled from V's arm, my heels twitching on the ground as I struggled to balance.
I was fine, or pretending to be, until we reached the GlideCab. Riding the small pods was usually something I looked forward to, but this time was hell.
"Find a point in front of you and focus on it," V tried to help.
I squirmed and waved my hand in his face for him to stop talking. All my attention was focused on not vomiting right now, and I had no patience for any other distraction.
When we finally exited the station, I allowed my lips to open and took in a few sips of fresh air.
"Feeling better?" V asked as he offered his arm again.
"So much better," I breathed out, brushing my hair back and enjoying the night breeze on the cold sweat of my neck.
Before he even had the door fully open, I was already taking off those torture devices from my feet.
I staggered to the nearest couch and collapsed face-first, the cushions swallowing me whole. Behind me, I heard V quietly collecting my heels and placing them next to his perfectly lined-up shoes in the entrance. Tidy, as always.
When I peeked at him, he was taking off his glasses and rubbing his tired eyes. The evening must have been exhausting for him too.
The soft chime of the cooked box resonated in the kitchen.
"You ordered something?" I mumbled, my face still half-buried in the couch.
"Yes. Did it from the cab already."
"Good. I'm starving."
He chuckled softly, and I could hear him moving around.
"I could eat a whole pizza right now."
That made him laugh out loud.
My eyes closed for what felt like a second. When I felt the cushions next to me sink in, I peeled one eye open.
V had sat next to me with a clear bowl filled with something that was both very green and very suspicious.
"What's that?" I made a face, not willing to eat anything green right now.
"Protein Jelly Chunks. Great for what you have."
I propped myself up on my elbows, my stomach still lying against the couch.
"It's not as bad as it looks. I eat something similar after squash," he added, scooping a spoonful and holding it near my face.
"What's skuash?" I asked, eyeing the spoon with suspicion.
"Eat and I'll answer," he tried to bargain.
My eyes narrowed at him, hoping to look mean, but still, I opened my lips for the spoon.
"It's a sport. A racquet sport," he answered as I chewed the oddly cold and surprisingly citrusy jelly. "I play in tournaments at work."
I blinked at him, trying to remember a moment when he could have been doing this over the past weeks.
"When do you even have time?"
He offered another spoonful, and I took it without any resistance. It wasn't so bad indeed.
"Well... I haven't gone to practice since you got here," he said with a soft pout, turning the spoon around the bowl absently.
I scowled.
How much of his life had I disrupted?
Another spoonful. I didn't even hesitate this time and opened my mouth. I was about to let myself be distracted by that when I caught V's eyes flick downward. For a second, I thought he had looked at my cleavage.
Had I imagined it?
My thoughts went down that path instead.
"Is that how you got your muscles? Playing skuash?" I teased with a small giggle behind my hands.
The corners of his eyes crinkled with the shy smile he tried to hide by looking down at the bowl.
"This and lifting at the gym, too," he added, glancing sideways, trying to sound casual and definitely failing.
I let out a high-pitched squeal, both admiring and mocking him. He laughed again.
"Drink some water too," V offered a large cup I had not noticed before.
I drank most of it from the straw, and he placed it back on the low table.
"Last one," he said, offering the final spoon.
This time, I looked straight into his eyes.
I took it in one slow bite.
His smile faded, his eyebrows slightly rising.
Chewing the last bite, I rolled onto my side, resting my head on one fist, my back against the cushions.
My eyes closed, and I hoped the room would stop moving when I'd open them again.
"Do you feel better?"
I was about to answer when I felt his hand touch me. His fingers brushed gently over my neck, gathering the hair that had fallen forward and tucking it behind my ear, then behind my shoulder. He did it more than once, and each time, I felt goosebumps rise all over my skin. Once my hair had been brushed back, he didn't stop. His fingers still caressed up and down my hair, softly massaging from my scalp down to my nape.
When I opened my eyes again, he was still on his side of the couch, leaning toward me. His head rested against his left fist, propped on his knee, while his other hand was extended to me. I noticed he had unbuttoned the first buttons of his shirt and rolled his sleeves up to his elbows.
Our eyes locked together.
The living room's lights must have sensed the change of atmosphere because they dimmed all around, wrapping the space in an intimate glow.
Without breaking eye contact, I got both hands on the couch and pushed myself forward, folding my knees beneath me.
V didn't move at first.
But as I inched closer, he shifted slightly, seeming hesitant.
Too late, my hands had gotten around his face.
"You were so handsome tonight..." I murmured, my mouth too close to his.
"Sade..." he replied with a soft, nervous chuckle.
His hands got over mine, not pushing them away, but not encouraging me either.
I was kneeling next to him now, just high enough to feel like I had the upper hand.
I was about to swing a leg over him, but he was faster. One of his hands shot out to stop me from straddling him.
"Sade," his voice warned me, firmer this time.
"V," I echoed, mimicking his tone before giving him a faint smirk, settling back on my heels.
I dropped my right hand down to his knee, and again, he covered it with his own, grounding it gently, stopping me without force.
"You've had too much to drink."
But he wasn't pushing me away.
While his voice was severe, his touch was still tender. It felt so good to feel both his hands on mine, one over his neck, the other on his knee... The path to his lips was free.
I leaned in further.
Too fast, he jerked back and stood up, leaving me to collapse into the cushions like a rag doll.
"Hey!"
"We should go to sleep," he said, his voice low and stern.
"We should," I mimicked again, standing up on the couch.
From up here, I towered over him again.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, hoping for another chance.
For a moment, he didn't move. Then, his face tilted up toward mine, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my chin.
His gaze dipped, first to my mouth, then lower, before crawling its way back up to meet my eyes.
I thought I'd won, that he was finally giving in to my plan.
The corner of his mouth lifted into a slow smirk.
I thought he was going to kiss me.
Instead, with one swift move, he ducked under my arms and pressed his shoulder into my stomach.
I gasped as my feet left the couch.
"Hey-!"
I was in the air, flung over his shoulder. His arm locked firmly around my thighs, and he carried me effortlessly to the stairs.
I let out a startled squeal, kicking my feet lightly as I thumped my fists against his back.
Unperturbed, he put me back on my feet once we reached the top of the stairs. He looked breathless from the effort, but the smirk was still on his lips.
Before I could do anything, his hands had already captured my wrists. Gently but firmly, he pushed me backward, toward my room. My tired, wobbly legs had no choice but to follow his lead.
"I thought you wanted to learn about love," I teased, my lips still reaching for his, hoping to provoke him as the opportunity seemed to slip through my fingers.
"Is this love...?" he frowned, an amused look on his face.
He kept walking me back to my bedroom.
"It is! It's intimacy... Connection!" I shot back, feeling the door against my back now.
He must not have expected the door to be closed as his body shoved into mine, barely a breath between us.
The hallway around us was still in the dark, the only light coming from the living room down the stairs. I remembered the couple I had witnessed earlier in the dark hallways.
I wanted this.
I wanted V to push me against the door and kiss me.
He let go of one wrist to reach for the door handle, but I moved fast, placing my free hand on top of his.
His entire body froze. His eyes shut.
As if this contact had been enough to short-circuit him.
"V..." I murmured into the crook of his neck.
"Careful, Sade," he warned me.
We were close. Too close. He still held my left wrist against my chest, his fingers now surely feeling the loud pounding of my heart. Our hands stayed locked on the handle, heat sparking between our skin.
"I just want to be close to you..." I whispered, hoping honesty would get through to him.
His eyes finally opened on me.
All I could see was frustration.
Restraint.
And care.
It made my stomach twist.
"I'm not going to take advantage of you," he replied softly.
Our faces were so close to each other, I felt his warm breath on my lips.
My chest rose and fell. His fingers around my wrist twitched.
"Take advantage of... me?" I repeated in disbelief, my head tilting to the side. "But I'm the one chasing you."
My eyes blinked, studying his face.
He didn't answer, looking away, jaws tight.
"You drank too much, Sade."
Then, in one smooth motion, he opened the bedroom door and nudged me inside.
"I'm feeling better now!" I protested, grasping at the last threads of hope.
"Go to sleep, Sade."
"It's true!" I resisted as he gently pushed me to sit on the bed.
"I'll let you change," he said, already backing toward the door.
"V!" I yelled after him, but already, he had closed the door behind him, and the pillow I threw at him bounced on it.
I groaned, letting myself fall backward into the bed, hiding my face between my hands.
I had to be honest with myself.
Maybe alcohol gave me the courage to be this bold.
But the desire, the deep desire coming from my insides, that was all me.
And that had started long before tonight.
From the moment his fingers grazed my skin, or any other moment he left me wanting more.
"I can't believe this..." I muttered, sitting up to strip out of my dress and change into my pajamas.
I should have taken a shower, but now that I had felt the comfort of my bed, I could only think of going to sleep. It took all my remaining strength to pull on my pajama shorts.
The fire in me had dimmed just as fast as it had ignited.
When the door creaked open again, I was already under the covers, hair fanned out over the pillow, arms stretched above my head, ready to sleep like a baby.
My eyes fluttered open.
V approached quietly, holding a glass of water. He walked over and set it gently on my nightstand.
"Good night, Sade."
His fingers brushed a few strands of hair off my forehead, and before I could process it, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on my forehead.
Even half-asleep, I felt my heart leap.
A warm wave spread through my chest.
"You'll thank me in the morning," he said, voice low, pulling the blanket higher and tucking me in.
"I might... punch you... In the morning," I mumbled, already drifting off.
"That's fair."
I heard a faint chuckle as the door closed behind him.
My toes curled under the blanket. I stretched, yawned, and let the warmth take me under, into a night full of sweet, fluttering dreams.
(more updates to read, scroll down! ❤️)
⭐️ don't forget to vote ⭐️
⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️